Apricot tree named ‘ASFCOT0409’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated ‘ASFCOT0409’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, of mildly acidic and sweet taste, with an attractive bright orange fruit skin covered by an appealing red blush.

Latin name of the genus and species claimed: Prunus armeniaca.

Varietal denomination: ‘ASFCOT0409’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricottree, Prunus armeniaca, which has been given the variety denomination‘ASFCOT0409’. This new variety results from our plant-breeding programaimed at obtaining apricot trees producing fruits of sweet and aromatictaste, with an attractive bright orange fruit skin covered by anappealing red blush. One of our main concerns is also the production ofnew varieties producing fruits with a long shelf life after harvesting,in order to facilitate long-distance shipping. Our final purpose is theproduction of a range of new apricot tree varieties differing by theirtime of maturity, while producing fruits of very similarcharacteristics, in order to provide markets with almostindistinguishable fruits during the whole period of production ofapricots.

The present new variety ripens at the end of June in thePyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to‘Couloumine’ (Orange Ruby®) (non-patented), a standard apricot variety,and to ‘Robada’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,890) and ‘Toyaco’ (Tom Cot®)(patent status unknown) apricot trees, parents of the new variety, forreliable description. ‘ASFCOT0409’ is a promising candidate forcommercial success in that it has very attractive fruits of long shelflife after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘ASFCOT0409’ apricot tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it wastested. The ‘ASFCOT0409’ variety was produced by controlled pollination.The seed parent was the ‘Robada’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,890) apricottree and the pollen parent was the ‘Toyaco’ (Tom Cot®) (patent statusunknown) apricot tree. ‘ASFCOT0409’ was provisionally designated, testedand genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 03.16.43AB and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the AgricultureMinistry of the French Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under number 1024476and name ‘ABCOT0409’. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a Franc INRA Montclar® (non-patented) rootstock tree. It hasbeen determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making itworthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effectsof the standard Franc INRA Montclar® (non-patented) rootstock on thescion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to theoriginal tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit weretransmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne,Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of apricot tree blooms in March atPerpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Moreparticularly, it approximately blooms between the 9^(th) and the 19^(th)of March, generally almost at the same time or 2 to 3 days earlier than‘Couloumine’ (Orange Ruby®) (non-patented).

The first fruit of ‘ASFCOT0409’ apricot tree ripens at the end of June,8 to 10 days later than the first fruit of the ‘Couloumine’ (OrangeRuby®) (non-patented) variety. More particularly, it approximatelyripens between June 26^(th) and July 4^(th). The date of maturity variesslightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a twig bearing typical fruitspecimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows a twig bearing three typicalfruit specimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph, which shows four whole fruits of the newvariety and a fifth fruit cut in half with the stone left in one of thehalves for depicting the fruit flesh, the pit cavity and the stone ofthe new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘ASFCOT0409’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and of medium stature half-standing in a semi-uprightout aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is presentexcluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins early inspringtime. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. The fruitcolor is an orange red blush on 30 to 50% of the fruit skin surface, onan yellow orange background. Fruit taste is mildly acidic and sweet,aromatic.

‘ASFCOT0409’ variety blooms generally almost at the same time, andripens 8 to 10 days later than the ‘Couloumine’ (Orange Ruby®)(non-patented) variety. ‘ASFCOT0409’ fruits are considered superior to‘Couloumine’ fruits because of the following characteristics: they arebigger, of better eating quality, very firm and holding their firmnessover the time, and have a blush color of higher intensity. ‘ASFCOT0409’trees also produce fruits more quickly than ‘Couloumine’ trees.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘Toyaco’ (Tom Cot®) (patent statusunknown), differs from the new variety because of the followingcharacteristics: ‘Toyaco’ trees have a semi-spread to semi-uprightshape, bloom earlier, are self-fruitful instead of partiallyself-fruitful, produce more flowers and imperatively requires thinning.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Robada’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,890), differs from the new variety because of the followingcharacteristics: ‘Robada’ trees bloom later and are not self-fruitful.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of apricot tree, the following was observed during the2007 and 2008 growing seasons under the ecological conditions prevailingat the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. All observations have been done on rootstockcultivar. The rootstock was a Franc INRA Montclar® (non-patented) tree.More particularly, observations relative to tree, trunk, branches, weredone during Summer 2008 on trees in their third growing season;observations relative to leaves and fruit were done during Summer 2008on trees in their fourth growing season; observations relative toflowers were done in March 2007 on trees in their fourth growing season.All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. ColourChart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society ofGreat Britain.

TREE

-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered medium as compared to other common            commercial apricot cultivars. Trees reached about 250 cm            during the first growing season. New shoots grew of about            100 cm every following year. Trees were pruned every year            after the second growing season to a height of approximately            250 cm.-   Spread: Approximately 200 cm. The whole orchard was oriented to a    central leader organisation, with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters    and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same tree line.-   Vigor: Considered vigorous. The present variety reached    approximately 250 cm in height during the first growing season. For    second and following seasons, the variety was pruned to an    approximate height of 250 cm. Theses characteristics are dependant    on prevailing climatic conditions, cultural practices and soils    fertility.-   Productivity: Very productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning.    However, the new variety only requires a medium thinning to obtain    marketable size fruits.-   Bearer: Regular. No alternate bearing observed.-   Form: The ‘ASFCOT0409’ variety has naturally a semi-upright shape.-   Density: Highly dense, in order to obtain fruits more quickly.-   Fertility: Partially self-fertile. Tests were done under sterile    bags and confirmed in orchard.-   Chilling requirement: The present tree was grown and evaluated in    France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central    Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.    Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling requirement    comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour    of the tree in all cases. The tree also seems to have a good    resistance to frosty springtime weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately about 8.0 cm in diameter when measured at a    distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level.-   Bark texture: Considered smooth to rough when numerous lenticels are    present.-   Bark coloration: The bark has orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166A)    and green-grey (RHS Greyed Green 197A) colorations.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Color.—A light grey (RHS Greyed White group 156A).        -   Density.—About 5 lenticels per square cm.        -   Size.—Lenticels are approximately 1.0 millimeters wide, and            4.0 millimeters long.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Current season shoots are considered medium for the variety    and mature branches are considered medium to thick.-   Diameter: Average as compared to other apricot varieties. The    current season shoots have a diameter of about 6.0 millimeters, and    branches of observed trees have a diameter comprised between 25.0    and 30.0 millimeters.-   Surface texture: New growth smooth. Mature growth medium rough,    roughness increases with age.-   Crotch angles: The crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees    and 60 degrees from the horizontal axis.-   Internode length: Generally between 15.0 and 20.0 millimeters.-   Color of mature branches: Orange brown to green brown (RHS Greyed    Orange 166A to Greyed Green 197B).-   Color of current seasons shoots: Orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange    165A to B) on exposed areas to grey-brown (RHS Grey Brown 199A) on    non-exposed areas, turning to mature branches color when aging.-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Lenticels:    -   -   Color.—A light grey (RHS Greyed White group 156A).        -   Density.—About 5 lenticels per square cm, particularly on            mature branches.        -   Size.—Slightly smaller than trunk's lenticels, they are            approximately 0.8 millimeters wide, and 3.0 millimeters            long.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium for the species.-   Length: Approximately 97.0 to 108.0 millimeters without leaf    petiole.-   Width: Approximately 80.0 to 85.0 millimeters.-   Form: Almost circular.-   Apex: Very obtuse.-   Base: Generally truncated.-   Margins: Dentate.-   Thickness: Medium.-   Upper surface texture: Smooth.-   Lower surface texture: Smooth.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Green 136A).        -   Lower surface.—Green (RHS Green 139B).-   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein thickness: Approximately 1.5 millimeters when measured at    the base of the leaf.-   Mid-vein color: Red Purple (RHS Red Purple Group 59B).-   Other veins color: Green (RHS Green Group 143B).-   Uniformity: Leaves are of medium size. No stipules are generally    found.-   Petiole:    -   -   Size.—Generally large.        -   Length.—Between 47.0 and 61.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 millimeters.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Depending on climatic conditions, the antocyanic            coloration on petiole's upper face can be very present and            varies from red (RHS Red Group 53B) to red purple (RHS Red            Purple Group 59B).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered small.        -   Length.—About 0.5 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 0.5 millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 2 to 4 glands per leaf, usually 3.        -   Type.—Round.        -   Position.—Located on upper portion of petiole and lower            portion of leaf blade.        -   Color.—Generally greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange 165A).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules observed.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a very rounded tip. Their form            is evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately between 12.0            and 14.0 millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 millimeters            long. Flower buds are generally alone or in groups of 2 or            3.        -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183B to C); the corolla, formed by            the petals, is generally of white color with slight pink            touches (RHS White N 155B to C).-   Texture: Smooth.-   Hardiness: No winter injury was noted during the last several years    of evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with    winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in January.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—About 2.0 millimeters.-   Date of bloom: Generally March.-   First bloom: Mar. 9, 2006.-   Full bloom: Mar. 14, 2006.-   Petal fall: Mar. 19, 2006.-   Blooming time: Considered semi-early season in relative comparison    to other commercial apricot cultivars.-   Duration of bloom: Approximately 10 days.-   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately 21.0 to    25.0 millimeters.-   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, flowers are generally found in    bunches.-   Flower bud frequency: Generally 1 flower bud or several flower buds    per groups of 2 to 3 appear per node.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered small for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 15.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 15.0 millimeters.-   Petal form: Round, narrower at point of attachment.-   Petal count: Generally 5, overlapping sepals.-   Petal texture: Smooth.-   Petal color: Petal color evolves from a very light pink at popping    stage, to white (RHS White Group N 155B to C).-   Fragrance: Pronounced.-   Petal base: Narrow at point of attachment.-   Petal apex: Round.-   Petal peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Generally yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 145C), with            highlights of red (RHS Red 46D).-   Sepals:    -   -   Size.—Small.        -   Sepal count.—5.        -   Form.—Triangular, apex slightly pointed.        -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183B to C).        -   Texture.—Glabrous.-   Stamens:    -   -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 30            stamens per flower.        -   Length.—Average.-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 9.0 to 13.0 millimeters in length.        -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White Group N 155B).-   Anthers:    -   -   Color.—Orange yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16D).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Generally at the same level or longer than anthers.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150D to RHS Yellow Green 151D).        -   Pubescence.—Present.-   Pollen:    -   -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and partially            self-fruitful.        -   Color.—Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16D).-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183B) color becoming lighter            toward the base, the inner surface of the calyx is orange            (RHS Yellow Orange group 22A).

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe).-   Date of first picking: Jun. 26, 2006.-   Date of last picking: Jul. 4, 2006. The date of harvest varies    slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘ASFCOT0409’    variety has an early to medium date of picking, and a grouped    maturity: only 2 harvests in 10 days were necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large.        -   Length.—Approximately 55.0 to 62.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 55.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 47.0 millimeters.-   Typical weight: Generally between 65.0 and 75.0 grams.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round, slightly oblong toward both fruit apex and            fruit base. The fruit is considered to be symmetrical.-   Suture:    -   -   Generally.—Wide-mouthed and marked, extending from the base            to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists            along the suture line.        -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color, an orange red blush (RHS Orange Red Group 34A            to RHS Orange Red Group N 34A) on an yellow orange (RHS            Yellow Orange Group 17A) background.        -   Ventral surface form.—Rounded.-   Apex: Straight to slightly oblique.-   Base: Straight to slightly oblique.-   Stem cavity: Shallow. Average depth of the stem cavity is about    0.5 cm. Average width is about 1.0 cm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Generally small. Stem length is about 4.0 millimeters            and stem diameter about 2.5 millimeters.        -   Color.—Stem color is green varying from RHS Yellow green 145            B to RHS Green Group 143C.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered average.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Present but very short, fine.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—The blush color is an orange red (RHS Orange            Red Group 34A to RHS Orange Red Group N 34A). The red blush            covers 30% to 50% of the fruit skin surface. The darker            blush color within the described range appears on fruits            exposed to sunlight.        -   Ground color.—The ground color is considered a yellow orange            (RHS Yellow Orange Group 17A).        -   Adherence to flesh.—Very adherent.        -   Taste.—Mildly acid. Sweet.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Fine and firm. Very melting and juicy at end of            maturity.        -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Firmness.—Firm. Holds firmness over the time.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, sweet.        -   Flavor.—Considered very good. Good balance between sweetness            and acidity, very aromatic.        -   Juice.—Good juiciness, increasing with maturity.        -   Brix.—Usually between 13.0 and 15.0 degrees but can be            higher. This characteristic varies slightly with the number            of fruits per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the            surrounding climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—Orange (RHS Yellow Orange Group 17A to B).

STONE

-   Stone cavity:    -   -   Color.—Orange (RHS Orange Group 26A to B).        -   Length.—Between 28.0 and 33.0 millimeters.-   Type: Free, although can be attached to the flesh through stone's    base.-   Size: Considered medium for the variety.    -   -   Length.—Approximately between 27.0 and 30.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately between 20.0 and 25.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately between 13.0 and 15.0 millimeters.-   Stone form (viewed from stem end): Oval, flattened.-   Stone base shape: Rounded to slightly concave.-   Stone apex shape: Round, generally no point observed.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—Medium to smooth.-   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a    greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange 164A to B).-   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent.-   Kernel:    -   -   Taste.—Bitter.-   Fruit use: The subject variety ‘ASFCOT0409’ produces fruits useful    for all type of consumption, uncooked or cooked. They are also    useful for both local markets and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruits stored well during 3 weeks after    harvest in a cold atmosphere. They stayed firm and kept their eating    quality. Fruits are considered to have a long shelf life after    harvesting, without alteration.-   Shipping quality: The fruit of the new apricot variety showed very    little skin scarring or flesh bruising in picking, packing and    shipping trials.-   Resistance to insects and disease: No susceptibilities were noted.    Under close observation during planting, growing and harvesting of    fruit, no particular plant/fruit disease resistance or    susceptibility has been observed. Any variety observed during    indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal fungus, bacterial,    virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our    breeding program.

Although the new variety of apricot tree possesses the describedcharacteristics noted above when grown under the ecological conditionsprevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it shouldbe understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pestcontrol and horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration after harvesting, of mildly acidic and sweet taste, with anattractive bright orange fruit skin covered by an appealing red blush.